Shares of AAPL dropped nearly 6 percent to start Tuesday, as a rumor that Cook would leave to become the new chief executive of HP gained traction. But as noted by Fortune, the rumor is not new at all -- it's two weeks old.

By Tuesday afternoon, shares of AAPL slightly recovered, but not entirely. HP was up nearly 1 percent.

Numerous sites reported the Cook-to-HP rumor on Tuesday, but Apple's public relations department declined to comment on the matter. However, Cook reportedly had coffee Tuesday morning with Brian Marshall of Gleacher & Co., and used the opportunity to dispel the rumor.

Cook was instrumental in Apple's success when CEO Steve Jobs took a leave of absence for health reasons in 2009 .Cook assumed the role of interim Apple CEO from January to June of 2009 so that Jobs could recover from liver transplant surgery.

Cook's tenure had him oversee the successful launches of several key products, most notably the iPhone 3GS. For his work, Cook was rewarded by Apple this year with a $22 million bonus.

Reports of Cook leaving are nothing new, as, in 2009, it was reported that Dell and Motorola tried to hire him away from Apple.

It's widely expressed amongst Apple circles that Cook has long been groomed to succeed Jobs in leading the company should the co-founder ever have to step down.

this stuff cracks me up. how do you know that the rumour is the cause of the drop? appl has been trading at all-time highs. maybe it's some profit takers? or maybe the announcement of the rim tablet? or maybe the high temperatures in the area? did you analyze the day's trade data? how do you know what you know?

Wouldn't be so easy to manipulate if Journalists actually reported news instead of all the non-confirmed garbage. Might as well call themselves gossip organizations instead of news organizations.

Another way to look at it is that people like Cramer aren't really even journalists. They're fairly transparent con artists who entertainment companies like CNBC put on the air because they know that there are a bunch of idiots out there who will watch this stuff. I can visualize the typical viewer -- white male, aged 50-70, slightly above average income, who has deluded himself into thinking that he can get rich quick because he's got the "inside scoop" from Jim Cramer. No doubt he supports a Tea Party candidate, because he doesn't want to pay capital gains taxes on all the money he's going to make when Cramer's hot stock tips pay off big-time.

Another way to look at it is that people like Cramer aren't really even journalists. They're fairly transparent con artists who entertainment companies like CNBC put on the air because they know that there are a bunch of idiots out there who will watch this stuff. I can visualize the typical viewer -- white male, aged 50-70, slightly above average income, who has deluded himself into thinking that he can get rich quick because he's got the "inside scoop" from Jim Cramer. No doubt he supports a Tea Party candidate, because he doesn't want to pay capital gains taxes on all the money he's going to make when Cramer's hot stock tips pay off big-time.

People are always happy to pay for the fantasy of being rich.

Capital gains taxes, like you mean the huge taxes you pay when you sell your house for more than you bought it for. The increase in value being artificial and the result of inflation caused by the federal reserve policies, encouraged by a government spending far more than it can afford. Until of course it all goes bust and 15%+ (true unemployment since those who no longer get benefits aren't counted) of the country has no jobs and are losing said homes.

this stuff cracks me up. how do you know that the rumour is the cause of the drop? appl has been trading at all-time highs. maybe it's some profit takers? or maybe the announcement of the rim tablet? or maybe the high temperatures in the area? did you analyze the day's trade data? how do you know what you know?

Every market move must have an explanation. Even a far-fetched explanation sounds more plausible (to some) than saying that it happened for no known reason.

Cook should go to HP and liquidate the company to return money to the shareholders. HP is a crappy company with nothing except their super expensive ink to sell. They sold their soul to Wintel and now they are paying the price. WebOS was interesting and now it is dead under the HP umbrella.

Capital gains taxes, like you mean the huge taxes you pay when you sell your house for more than you bought it for. The increase in value being artificial and the result of inflation caused by the federal reserve policies, encouraged by a government spending far more than it can afford. Until of course it all goes bust and 15%+ (true unemployment since those who no longer get benefits aren't counted) of the country has no jobs and are losing said homes.

2. What inflation? Inflation hasn't been a problem since the early 1980s.

3. Yes, unemployment is closer to 15% when it's calculated right. I agree with that. And I'm also happy to place some blame on the fed, but not because of high inflation (which doesn't exist) but because their fear of nonexistent inflation prevents them from taking stronger action to increase demand.

Of course, 1-3 is all besides the point. You're obviously one of those 50-70 yo white male Tea Party wingnuts. Nothing anyone says will penetrate your diseased mind.

2. What inflation? Inflation hasn't been a problem since the early 1980s.

3. Yes, unemployment is closer to 15% when it's calculated right. I agree with that. And I'm also happy to place some blame on the fed, but not because of high inflation (which doesn't exist) but because their fear of nonexistent inflation prevents them from taking stronger action to increase demand.

Of course, 1-3 is all besides the point. You're obviously one of those 50-70 yo white male Tea Party wingnuts. Nothing anyone says will penetrate your diseased mind.

Aside from the fact that this story is most likely a scam, it's interesting to contemplate whether Tim Cook ever would leave Apple. It's virtually impossible for a lowly peon such as myself to imagine what's going on inside the mind of the COO of the second most valuable company in the world, but I have to say that I could never leave Apple if I were in his shoes, unless it was for something completely different from the computer/tech industry. Going to run HP after being at Apple would be like... flying coach after flying first class, driving Toyota after driving a BMW (I loathe Toyota), or using a PC after using a Mac. In other words, it would be a hollow empty experience.

Now, were I in his shoes, I could imagine contemplating someday going off to do something entirely different. Maybe do something in renewable energy, buy a winery (and be prepared to lose money), or start a foundation that funds genetic research.

Aside from the fact that this story is most likely a scam, it's interesting to contemplate whether Tim Cook ever would leave Apple. It's virtually impossible for a lowly peon such as myself to imagine what's going on inside the mind of the COO of the second most valuable company in the world, but I have to say that I could never leave Apple if I were in his shoes, unless it was for something completely different from the computer/tech industry. Going to run HP after being at Apple would be like... flying coach after flying first class, driving Toyota after driving a BMW (I loathe Toyota), or using a PC after using a Mac. In other words, it would be a hollow empty experience.

Now, were I in his shoes, I could imagine contemplating someday going off to do something entirely different. Maybe do something in renewable energy, buy a winery (and be prepared to lose money), or start a foundation that funds genetic research.

But run HP? Bleh.

Hey! I prefer my Toyota to my girlfriends BMW. Other than that though, I have to agree with everything you said. I really can't see Cook going to HP. I COULD have imagined him going to Palm, just for the challenge, but never HP.

2. What inflation? Inflation hasn't been a problem since the early 1980s.

That explains why a dollar from 30 years ago would need to be over $2.50 today. Or, stated, differently, a dollar from 19080 is worth about 39 cents today. Lest you claim that it was the high inflation of the early 80's, even if you start in 1985, a dollar from 1985 is worth 50 cents today. That's not no inflation.

Not too long ago HP was one of the best places to work for - Not just for the Indians, but also for the Chiefs! HP was one of the shinning star of the valley. It is so sad to see what has happened and happening of HP. I would think this would be the 2nd company (after Yahoo) who has really been messed up due to actions of Board of Directors!

That explains why a dollar from 30 years ago would need to be over $2.50 today. Or, stated, differently, a dollar from 19080 is worth about 39 cents today. Lest you claim that it was the high inflation of the early 80's, even if you start in 1985, a dollar from 1985 is worth 50 cents today. That's not no inflation.

Look, inflation can be one of three things -- positive, negative, or zero. Negative => deflation => depression. Zero is virtually impossible. That leaves positive. And if it's positive then over any stretch of time compounding the rate will allow you to make the types of statements you're making. But so what? It means nothing.

Since Volker crushed inflation in the 1980s, inflation has been low and stable. We do not suffer from inflation rates that are too high. You're barking up the wrong tree.

What inflation? Inflation hasn't been a problem since the early 1980s.

According to historical data from consumer price index .... what cost you $100.00 in 1980 would have cost you $257.00 in 2009. .... I'd say that amount of inflation could be called a problem, wouldn't you?

Apple, bigger than Google, √ ..... bigger than Microsoft, √ The universe is unfolding as it should. Thanks, Apple.

AAPL is one the most heavily manipulated stocks. I thought this kind of thing only happened before major announcements. As in "buy on the rumor, sell on the news"...

But that's OK. Anyone with a short position on AAPL is in trouble.

I think that is exactly what happened. September options expired a few days ago, and a whole mess of people shorting Apple got caught with the recent climb in price. If you have enough shares, you can dump half of them at the higher price, selling all the way down to the target, and then start buying again while the panic is still rampant. Instant $20-30 a share profit.

I think that is exactly what happened. September options expired a few days ago, and a whole mess of people shorting Apple got caught with the recent climb in price. If you have enough shares, you can dump half of them at the higher price, selling all the way down to the target, and then start buying again while the panic is still rampant. Instant $20-30 a share profit.

He's only 55 so it's possible he could be in control for a while, health permitting. There have been CEOs aged 100. The personal computer industry has only been going for 26 years. Even another 10-15 years, things will change dramatically.

I still don't think Cook is right for the position though, at least not as a spokesperson. His stage presence doesn't go over very well at all. He just seems too corporate. Phil is not serious enough, Ive is too pretentious and not confident enough and Serlet too frightening. Cook could be the CEO and Forstall would be a good spokesperson. He's sometimes too youthful in the sense that he talks like a teenager being blown away by stuff all the time but I think Apple needs that youthful appeal. Once they go the corporate route, it's not going to look good.

According to historical data from consumer price index .... what cost you $100.00 in 1980 would have cost you $257.00 in 2009. .... I'd say that amount of inflation could be called a problem, wouldn't you?

No, I would not call 3.2% annual inflation a problem.

I would call the significantly higher inflation rates of the late 70s and early 80s a major problem, but as I said, volker solved that problem. Since volker, inflation has been generally in the ballpark of 2%.